A suggestion by a British military chief that some troops could
be withdrawn from the North of Ireland by Christmas in the event
of a political deal has been greeted with cynicism by
republicans.

General Sir Mike Jackson, chief of the general staff, said it
was “quite possible” that a go-ahead for what the British
government describes as “normalisation” could come by Christmas.

According to reports, senior British military figures are among
those who believe the Provisional IRA is preparing a statement
about ending their struggle as part of a deal involving DUP
support for power-sharing in a Six County administration.

Jackson is understood to be keen for “normalisation” to free up
troops for other assignments, and to facilitate reforms to the
British Army.

Currently, there are still more British soldiers in Ireland than
the combined force levels in Iraq, Bosnia and Kosovo.

In the Joint Declaration published by the Irish and British
Prime Ministers last year, Tony Blair promised to reduce the
British Army from the present 11,200 to the peace-time
“garrison” strength of 5,000.

Sinn Féin spokesperson on demilitarisation, assembly member
Thomas Reilly, said that appeared to be missing the point.

Mr Reilly said: “It is 10 years on from the first IRA cessation
and six years on from the political deal which committed the
British government to a programme of demilitarisation.

“What we have had in the years since is a rationalisation
programme being conducted by the British crown forces to suit
their own narrow military agenda.

“It is worth remembering that the British army currently has
almost twice as many personnel occupying the six counties as it
has in its occupation and war in Iraq.

“Nationalists and republicans want to see the British government
deliver on its commitments in this area.”

SDLP spokesperson Dominic Bradley said it is only right that
commitments given by the British government in the Joint
Declaration are delivered on.

“Tony Blair himself has said that there is no sense in which the
security situation is deteriorating,” Mr Bradley said.

“There is no reason why we cannot make further progress on
demilitarisation now.

“This also includes the closure of the joint army and police
bases.”

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